Kitchen planning

Buying a new kitchen is a huge investment, so you want to get it right. No matter how much or little you spend on the fixtures and fittings, a great design will always be functional and a joy to use, but if some aspect of the layout is not quite right, kitchen tasks will soon become a chore.

The easiest way to avoid costly and frustrating mistakes is to plan your kitchen very thoroughly with the help of a sympathetic designer. Finding the right person is essential, so talk to several designers and find one on your wavelength - as Paul O'Brien of Kitchens International explains, communication is key. "The success of a kitchen is entirely down to the initial design brief and the more detailed it is, the better. The designer needs to discover your likes and dislikes, how you live, cook and entertain and also what your needs are as an individual, or family member."

Design-led

It's also vital to disclose your budget early on. "As long as customers give their specific budget right at the start, so the designer understands the financial parameters, they should receive exactly the same high standard of planning as someone with a big budget," says Terry Ball of William Ball. "If a company can't be bothered to visit a customer's home, simply because they have a limited budget, then you have to ask yourself if they are the sort of people you want to work with."
Once the facts are established, a conscientious designer will lead you through every aspect of planning, but stay focussed on the basics to begin with and leave thoughts of flashy appliances and fabulous finishes for a later stage of the process. "Everyone has an opinion of how their new kitchen should look, but not all customers consider how it should actually work," comments Eamon Donnelly of Kitchen Stori. "The ergonomics of the practical design should be discussed right from the start, so that form and function can be planned in tandem."

Easy ergonomics

"Essentially, a successful design starts from the inside out," comments Lizzie Beesley of Metris Kitchens. "Storage is the driving factor behind an ergonomic layout and needs to be easily accessible and positioned at the right height for the user, so minimal bending, lifting, or reaching is required. To achieve this, there needs to be sufficient storage for all the different activities that typically take place in the kitchen."
The most ergonomic layouts are created using the zone theory, which ascribes different sections of the kitchen to different storage tasks. "This system develops designs according to five zones of natural kitchen activity - storage of consumables, storage of non-consumables, cleaning, preparation and cooking," explains Michael Powell of Blum UK. "These zones are laid out in the best configuration for the individual end user. Zoning can be applied to any shape or layout, including compact kitchens, to maximise potential."

Shaping up

The zoning concept has helped to revolutionise the way kitchens are shaped, as the resulting designs are driven more by ergonomic convenience than by conventional kitchen layouts. The basic layouts still remain relevant - a galley layout in a long, narrow room, for example, or an L-shaped design in a room with a deep alcove or recess - but where space allows, layout is now being dictated by function and the trend for more flexible living. "Open-plan kitchens have become a phenomenon over the past few years and offer huge versatility in terms of design possibilities," comments Sara Wells of Urban Interior.
A larger, open-plan space gives both you and your designer a chance to be more flexible with the design, as you can create any kitchen layout as the centrepiece in a larger room. However, if you like the idea of open-plan, be aware that it requires space - to find that space, you might have to knock down a wall, build an extension, or rethink the basic structure of your home. "Structural changes need to be carried out hand-in-hand with a kitchen redesign, especially in older houses that were not built for open-plan space," advises Clare Pascoe of Molten. "Kitchens are such key areas of our homes that the upheaval and cost of a structural change is worth it, but do expect to redecorate the entire room afterwards. There will be plastering, steel support columns and work to walls, ceilings and flooring - it turns a four-week project into a 12-week project, so be prepared!"

"Work closely with your architect, designer and builders to make sure the 'i's are dotted and the 't's crossed," stresses Jane Stewart of Mowlem & Co. "The key thing is to have lots of meetings and ask lots of questions about every stage - from load bearing and electricals, to timings, maintenance and costs - and make sure the whole team are on the same page. Be prepared for some upheaval and know that you may have to wait and work around it all - try the new restaurants you've always wanted to go to, deal with inevitable snags and look forward to enjoying the kitchen of your dreams - it will be worth it!"

Measure of success

All off-the-shelf kitchen fittings are designed to comply with the following, industry-wide standard measurements:
* Floor-standing base units - 72cm high, 60cm deep and 60cm wide, with slimline units at 45cm or 30cm
* Appliances - height can vary, but 60cm deep and 60cm wide, with slimline units at 45cm or 30cm
* Wall cabinets - 72cm high, 30cm deep and 45cm, 60cm or 90cm wide
A good designer can configure these basic measurements into an efficient layout, but if your room is an awkward shape, or your personal needs dictate a taller or shorter-than-average design, then ask for a bespoke option. "It has become increasingly popular for our clients to request cabinets with modifications, such as reduced-depth cupboards or special interior layouts," says Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchens. Plinths and appliance legs can be adjusted, cabinets customised and worktops cut down or extended - don't be afraid to demand a kitchen that is tailored to you and designed with your comfort and convenience in mind.

What's hot now

Designers give the lowdown on the layouts and features that are most wanted:

"Our most popular kitchen lay-out combines a single run of tall units - integrated with a bank of appliances and larder storage - with an island. Islands usually include a breakfast bar for socialising and are also used to mark the limits of the work area within a larger living space."
Helen Munro, Roundhouse Design

"Open-plan is a favourite choice for young singles and customers who enjoy holding dinner parties and entertaining, because the designated cook is still able to enjoy the company of his or her guests while working."
Sara Wells, Urban Interior
"A popular alternative to wall cabinets is the grid system, where open shelves are used as major storage. Open wall areas can be filled with kitchen paraphernalia or baskets, which is an ideal approach to a kitchen where space is at a premium and planning has to be a careful balance of form and function."
Paul O'Brien, Kitchens International


"Lighting is being fitted into all sorts of areas to make kitchens easier to use, such as the inside of cupboards, behind walls, or recessed into preparation areas. The results can be striking and highly individual, or subtle and atmospheric, depending on your mood and how you plan to use your kitchen."
Neil Lerner, Neil Lerner Kitchens

Contacts

Alno 0870 043 3742 or www.alno.co.uk
Blum 01908 285700 or www.blum.com
Caple 0117 938 1900 orwww.caple.co.uk
Davonport 0800 924 7656 or www.davonport.com
Diane Berry Kitchens 0161 798 5335 or www.dianeberrykitchens.co.uk
Ikea 0845 358 3364 or www.ikea.co.uk
John Lewis 0845 604 9049 or www.johnlewis.com
Kitchens International 0845 074 0022 or www.kitchensinternational.co.uk
Kitchen Stori on 028 7965 1650 or www.kitchenstori.com
Metris Kitchens 01325 505590 or www.metriskitchens.co.uk
Moben 0800 413413 or www.moben.co.uk
Molten 020 7835 5454 or www.moltenuk.com
Mowlem & Co 020 7610 6626 or www.mowlemandco.co.uk
Neil Lerner Kitchens 020 7433 0705 or www.neillerner.com
Roundhouse 020 7297 6220 or www.roundhousedesign.com
Urban Interior 020 7739 4644 or www.urbaninterior.co.uk
William Ball 0800 581107 or www.wball.co.uk